Aphelion Issue 292, Volume 28
March 2024
 
Editorial    
Long Fiction and Serials
Short Stories
Flash Fiction
Poetry
Features
Series
Archives
Submission Guidelines
Contact Us
Forum
Flash Writing Challenge
Forum
Dan's Promo Page
   

Donna the Donor

by Richard Tornello


Donna the doner is no loaner.
There are many here among us
to whom she is no stranger,
depended upon/her existence defended.

The family cow, with bread, to serve,
when needed, a prime cut for the deserved.
Sewn as a reserve/bred to serve.

Her siblings require parts?
Disassembled cut apart.
“It’s my job” she publicly expressed.
“To do my duty to the rest.
I’m born and bred to be fed to those whose needs
by me can only be met. An honor to fete”

To herself she questions:
I’m a spare. At what point do I have my own
life to live, a life not on loan?
I’m human, not a walking warehouse.
For my parents lousy genetic makeup.
“ build another/ cover the fuck-up.”

Donna the doner
Walks as a loaner
Down the street and away.

On her own, intact. “I’m not your cow
She shouts, crying, “Why?
I was put here…not for me.
Not even a mistake! Just meat
for the sake of the planned sacrifice.”

Donna the donor, no longer.
Walks as a loner,
down the street and away.


© 2009 Richard Tornello

Find more by Richard Tornello in the Author Index.

Comment on this story in the Aphelion Forum

Return to Aphelion's Index page.